Strawberry plant named ‘Driscoll Cambria’

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to a new and distinct variety of strawberry named ‘Driscoll Cambria’. The variety is similar to the varieties ‘Ana Maria’ and ‘San Juan’. The variety is distinguished from ‘Ana Maria’ and ‘San Juan’, in particular, by its absence of bracts on leaves, weak glossiness of the leaves, globose growth habit, density of plants, very sparse stipule pubescence, upward petiole pose of hairs, predominantly cordate fruit shape, vary narrow band without achenes on fruit, and the fine texture of the fruit when tasted.

Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed: The variety is botanically identified as Fragaria×ananassa.

1. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new variety originated as a result of a controlled cross between the strawberry plants ‘61C117’ (unpatented Driscoll variety) and ‘126B46’ (unpatented Driscoll variety) in an ongoing breeding program, and was discovered in a controlled breeding plot in, Ventura County, Calif. in March 1998. The original seedling was asexually propagated by stolons in a nursery in Shasta County, Calif. Propagules were transplanted to a controlled breeding plot in Ventura, County, Calif. where it was identified and selected for further evaluation. ‘Driscoll Cambria’ was subsequently asexually propagated and underwent further testing at various locations in Monterey county, Calif. for three years. This propagation and testing has demonstrated that the combination of traits disclosed herein which characterize the new variety are fixed and retained true to type through successive generations of asexual reproduction.

2. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of strawberry named ‘Driscoll Cambria’. The variety is botanically known as Fragaria×ananassa. The new variety is distinguished from other varieties by a number of characteristics as set forth in Tables 1 and 2.

3. COMPARISON TO SIMILAR VARIETIES

The varieties which we believe to be similar to ‘Driscoll Cambria’ from those known to use are ‘Ana Maria’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. PP11,035, issued Aug. 17, 1999) and ‘San Juan’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. PP12,899, issued Sep. 3, 2002). There are several characteristics of the new variety that are different from, or not possessed by ‘Ana Maria’, and ‘San Juan’. The new variety has a diameter of inner calyx relative to outer on secondary flowers that is larger, sparse stipule and petiole pubescence, many stolons, the fruiting bodies have very narrow bands without achenes, a fine texture when tasted, and flowers in late-February.

‘Driscoll Cambria’ differs from its parent ‘61C117’ (unpatented Driscoll variety) in several characteristics, including, but not limited to, being adapted to Northern California climate, where ‘61C117’ is adapted to a Southern California climate. ‘Driscoll Cambria’ differs from its parent ‘126B46’ (unpatented Driscoll variety) in several characteristics, including, but not limited to, having superior fruit shipability than ‘126B46’.

4. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying photographs show typical specimens of the new variety, including fruit, foliage and flowers, in color as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make in color illustrations of these characteristics. The plants of ‘Driscoll Cambria’ characterized in the botanical description and depicted in the figures were grown outdoors in an annual production system. Measurements were taken during the late summer in the second half of the production season.

FIG. 1 shows leaves of the plant with three leaflets.

FIG. 2 shows the upper side and under side of the flowers.

FIG. 3 shows a close-up of the strawberry.

FIG. 4 shows the strawberry in longitudinal cross-section.

5. DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

The following detailed description of the new variety is based upon observations taken of plants and fruit grown in Monterey county, Calif., U.S.A. Observations of ‘Driscoll Cambria’, ‘Ana Maria’ and ‘San Juan’ were taken in side by side comparison in 2002. This description is in accordance with UPOV terminology. Color designations, color descriptions, and other phenotypical descriptions may deviate from the stated values and descriptions depending upon variation in environmental, seasonal, climatic and cultural conditions. Colors are described and the most similar color designations are provided from The Royal Horticultural Society (R.H.S.) Colour Chart.

5.1 PROPAGATION

The new variety is principally propagated by way of stolons. Although propagation by stolons is presently preferred, other known methods of propagating strawberry plants may be employed.

5.2 CHARACTERISTICS OF THE NEW VARIETY

Information on the new variety is presented in Tables 1, 2, 3 and 4. In the tables, the flowers described are secondary flowers except where indicated. The fruit described in the secondary fruit on one year old plants. Fruit and flower measurements are an average of both primary and secondary fruit and flowers. In particular, the reproductive structures of ‘Driscoll Cambria’ are fully self-fertile and typical of the species. Anther color in yellow, 13A, pistil color is yellow, 13A, and receptacle color is 150G, yellow green.

Table 1 provides information on the plant and fruit characteristics of the new variety ‘Driscoll Cambria’ compared with characteristics of ‘Ana Maria’ and ‘San Juan’. Table 2 provides additional information of the plant and fruit characteristics of the new variety ‘Driscoll Cambria’ compared with characteristics of the varieties ‘Ana Maria’ and ‘San Juan’. Table 3 provides reactions of the new variety to stresses, pests, and diseases as compared to the varieties ‘Ana Maria’ and ‘San Juan’. Table 4 provides isozyme characteristics of the new variety as compared to the varieties ‘Ana Maria’ and ‘San Juan’.

TABLE 1 QUANTITATIVE COMPARISON OF ‘DRISCOLL CAMBRIA’, ‘ANA MARIA’, AND ‘SAN JUAN’ ‘Driscoll Cambria’ ‘Ana Maria’ ‘San Juan’ Plant Characteristics Height of Plant (cm) 28.3 33.6 30.1 Spread of Plant (cm) 41.7 51.8 47.1 Number of Crowns 4.2 4.3 3.8 Leaf Characteristics Terminal Leaflet Length 8.2 9.8 8.3 (cm) Terminal Leaflet Width 7.8 9.5 7.9 (cm) Terminal Leaflet 1.05 1.03 1.05 Length/Width Ratio #Teeth/Terminal Leaflet 18.8 21.3 24.6 Color of upper side light green medium medium to 147A green dark green 147A 147A Color of under side light green light green light green 147B 148B 147C Petiole Length (cm) 19.7 20.7 19 Petiole Color 149A 145B 149A Bract Frequency 0% 67% 25% typically typically single paired Stipule Length (cm) 3.5 3.4 3.6 Stipule Width (cm) 1.14 1.07 1.11 Flower Characteristics Petal Length (cm) 1.07 1.29 1.05 Petal Width (cm) 1.13 1.22 1.10 Petal Length/Width Ratio 0.95 1.05 0.95 Flower Diameter (cm) 2.00 2.15 2.15 Calyx Diameter (cm) 2.86 3.07 2.91 Fruiting Truss Length 35.0 36.9 34.0 (cm) Petal Color (cm) 155D 155D 155C Fruit Characteristics Fruit Length (cm) 4.19 3.99 4.33 Fruit Width (cm) 3.41 3.74 3.85 Fruit Length/Width 1.23 1.07 1.13 Radio Average Berry Weight 23.3 22.5 28.4 (g) Extenal Color red red dark red 46A 46A 53A Internal Color orange red orange red red 41A 44B 44A Average % brix 11.0 8.34 8.97 Brix/Acid Ratio 15.35 13.48 15.07 Achene Coloration dark red to dark red to dark red to yellow yellow yellow 53A to 16A 46B to 16A 46B to 16A Yield (g/plant) 1,366 1,504 1,225

TABLE 2 QUALITATIVE COMPARISON OF ‘DRISCOLL CAMBRIA’, ‘SAN JUAN’ AND ‘ANA MARIA’ ‘Driscoll Cambria’ ‘Ana Maria’ ‘San Juan’ Plant Habit globose globose to globose to upright flat globose Density dense medium to medium open Vigor strong strong medium Leaf Shape in cross section concave slightly flat to concave to flat slightly convex Interveinal blistering strong medium to medium to strong strong Glossiness weak medium weak to medium weak Number of leaflets three only three only sometimes more than 3 leaflets (approx. 17% of leaves) Terminal teaflet flat flat revolute to flat margin profile Terminal leaflet rounded rounded to obtuse to shape of base oblique rounded Terminal leaflet rounded obtuse rounded shape of teeth Stipule pubescence very sparse sparse medium dense Petiole pubescence very sparse sparse medium Petiole pose of hairs upwards outward outward to downward Stolon Amount many medium to medium to many many Anthocyanin coloration medium medium strong Thickness thick thin to medium medium Pubescence medium sparse to medium medium Inflorescence Position relative level to level to beneath to to foliage above above level with Diameter of calyx same size on smaller to larger relative to corolla secondary same size on secondary flowers flowers, larger on primary flowers Diameter of inner larger smaller to same size calyx relative to same size outer on secondary flowers Spacing of Petals overlapping free to touching overlapping Fruiting Truss Attitude at first picking prostate semi-erect prostate Fruit Predominant shape cordate conical conical to almost cylindrical Difference in slight none to very moderate shapes between primary slight and secondary fruits Band without achenes very narrow narrow to narrow medium Unevenness of surface very weak weak mean Evenness of color uneven even even even Glossiness strong strong very strong Insertion of achenes level with level with level with surface surface surface Insertion of calyx level level with to level set above Pose of the spreading to spreading spreading to calyx segments reflexed reflexed Size of calyx in same size to same size to same size relation to fruit larger larger on secondary fruit Adherence of calyx weak to weak to strong medium medium Firmness of flesh firm soft to firm medium Evenness of flesh color slightly slightly slightly uneven uneven uneven to even Distribution of marginal and marginal and marginal and flesh color central central central Hollow center size small small medium Sweetness strong medium to medium to strong strong Texture when tasted fine fine to medium medium Acidity medium medium medium Time of flowering late-February early-March early-March Harvest Interval in 2002 early-April mid-April thru mid-April thru thru early- early- early- November November November Type of Bearing partially partially partially everbearing everbearing everbearing

5.3 STRESS PEST AND DISEASE RESISTANCE AND SUSCEPTIBILITY

TABLE 3 REACTIONS TO STRESS, PESTS, AND DISEASES FOR ‘DRISCOLL CAMBRIA’, ‘SAN JUAN’ AND ‘ANA MARIA’ ‘Driscoll Cambria’ ‘Ana Maria’ ‘San Juan’ Reaction to Stress high pH moderately resistant moderately moderately resistant resistant high soil salt levels moderately resistant moderately moderately resistant resistant Reaction to Pests Tetranychus urticae moderately susceptible moderately susceptible susceptible Lygus hesperus susceptible susceptible susceptible Reaction To Diseases Botrytis fruit rot susceptible susceptible susceptible Powdery mildew susceptible moderately susceptible susceptible Verticillium wilt susceptible susceptible susceptible Strawberry Mottic moderately moderately moderately Virus resistant resistant resistant Xanthomonas moderately moderately moderately fragariae susceptible susceptible susceptible

5.4 ISOZYME ANALYSIS

In addition to the morphological description above, the new cultivar ‘Driscoll Cambria’ has been analyzed to obtain an indication of its genetic makeup to provide further means for identifying the new variety and distinguishing it from some other somewhat similar and/or related strawberry varieties. Specifically, leaf samples of ‘Driscoll Cambria’, ‘Ana Maria’ and ‘San Juan’ were analyzed by electrophoresis for isozyme patterns of the enzymes phospoglucoisomerase (PGI), leucine aminopeptidase (LAP) and phosphoglucomutase (PGM), See J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 106:684-687. Isozyme characterization of the three varieties is presented in Table 4, with the letters representing the banding patterns for each enzyme as designated in the above-identified article.

TABLE 4 ISOZYME ANALYSIS FOR ‘DRISCOLL CAMBRIA’, ‘ANA MARIA’ AND ‘SAN JUAN’ Locus ‘Driscoll Cambria’ ‘Ana Maria’ ‘San Juan’ PGI A1 A1 A2 LAP B3 B3 B3 PGM C1 C4 C4 

1. A new and distinct variety of strawberry plant, substantially as shown and described. 